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Students headed to International Science Fair; counselors outline mental-health, transition and family-engagement work
Summary
Students from Aberdeen qualified for the International Science Fair; district counselors reported on partnerships, student supports, transition activities and early-literacy family outreach during the board meeting.
Board members acknowledged four students who qualified for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio, and heard a report from district counselors on mental-health supports, transition activities and family engagement.
Superintendent Dr. Duffin introduced student finalists: Corbin Landis (freshman), Anna Hulberg (senior), Brecken Sanchez (junior) and Kierra (grade not specified). Corbin described a biomedical project that used image analysis and 3-D printing to model transcatheter aortic valve replacement sizes; Brecken presented a biochemistry project testing the effect of the preservative sodium propionate on enzyme activity; and Karis Sillman (presenter name from the record) presented work on anthocyanin and zooxanthellae to combat coral bleaching. The board congratulated the students.
District counselors Annie Falk and Ashley Steglander summarized counseling services and community partnerships at elementary, middle and high school levels. Falk said counselors work with Northeastern Mental Health, Salvation Army, Department of Social Services, local clinicians and school resource officers and coordinate with Northern State University’s counseling education program.
At the elementary level counselors reported weekly classroom guidance covering bullying, personal safety and career awareness, family engagement events, a kindergarten literacy signing night and transition activities for fifth graders preparing for middle school. The district also piloted partnerships with Lutheran Social Services mentors, and staff highlighted a program in which graduating seniors visit elementary schools in caps and gowns to inspire younger students.
Middle-school counselors described a web-leader welcome program for incoming sixth graders, a peer-mentoring "Golden Crew" at Simmons Middle School, Dream Big Week for eighth-graders with college and career preparatory activities and mock job application exercises.
At the high school level, counselors continue to provide weekly food and hygiene bags distributed through the Salvation Army, lead the Eagle Squad peer leadership program that mentors freshmen, and hold junior and senior conferences to support postsecondary planning. Staff also reported dual-credit rate changes from the state and ongoing scholarship and course-registration work for 2025–26.
Board members noted the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce selected ATEC Academy for a community impact award (Abby Awards) and thanked staff for district partnerships that provide boots, coats and other student needs through the Aberdeen Public School Foundation endowments. The board also discussed parent outreach on early literacy and praised kindergarten signing-night materials distributed to families.
